We're in-between. One DD plays sports (only one at a time), and DD#2 is in Girl Scouts. Our kids are involved in church activities, but those are it. I don't believe in over-scheduling kids, same as the "free range parents", but I won't leave my 12 year olds unattended at the mall or similar places either. There are too many weirdos out there.

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Michele
Member of the Welcome Wagon
http://mommysavers.com/boards/how-navigate-mommysavers/

I'm way over protective to be completely a free ranger. In this day and age i'm not going to put my children at risk. There are too many sexual predators to just allow my children to walk to school or play in the park alone. Plus i am available....why shouldn't i be there with them?

I find letting your nine year old take the subway alone a form of neglect or lazy parenting. That mother should be ashamed of herself.

There are some things that i agree with.....Many parents do over schedule their children. There is no need to be doing something every night of the week and never having family dinners at the table. They do need free play.

Oh and the article said something about a 12 year old alone at the mall and how they wouldn't go with someone...that's soooo not true. Even at that age they can be tricked into trusting someone....especially if it's another child.

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Jodie....Wife to Andrew (1995)
Mommy to Riley (2000) and Wyatt (2003)

Thanks for sharing this article. My kiddos are still little and aren't "overscheduled" yet. But this is a perspective to be aware of.